Jasalie’s voice hitches as she responds. “I promise to be your best friend and your staunchest supporter. I will love you on the field and off”—Dylan’s laugh can be heard through the entire outdoor venue—“If you never again hold a football, or if you never put one down, I will love you and support you. I promise to partner with you, as parents to our future children, in a home where they will grow up learning unconditional love, the ability to solve problems creatively, and the strength to overcome anything life throws in their way.”
I wipe my eyes.Shit. Now I’m getting emotional at the wedding renewal of two people I literally barely know. Like he knows what I’m thinking, Brayden turns and looks right at me. I stare into the swirling blue of his eyes, trying to beam to him how much I care. How much I want him and need him in my life. I laugh nervously and can’t stop.
* * *
Brayden
I love you, Leleila.
That’s all I want to say right now. All I want to do is jump off the altar, pull this damn tie off my neck, pick Leleila up in my arms, and disappear with her. I’d take her to my family cabin and make love to her for the entire night.
Standing up with Jenson and my cousins, as Dylan and Jasalie renew their vows, is far more emotional than I thought it would be. When Colton and Sky got married, I wasn’t in this place. I was single and happy being single.
Because Leleila Wills wasn’t around then. She had been once, but that was one night when I was a teenager. Now that she’s back in my life, the whole game has changed.
I need to tell her how I feel.
* * *
Leleila
Brayden’s waiting for me at the edge of the manicured lawn. He takes my hand and leads me away from the crowd of people mingling and grabbing appetizers.
He looks down at my fingers intertwined with his. My left ring finger is bare with any hint of the red string long gone. “How have the last couple of days been for you?”
I inhale and stare past him at the mountains. They’re gorgeous—snow-capped and majestic.
I bring my gaze back to Brayden’s face. “They’ve been great, actually.”
He sucks in a breath. “I can imagine you’re overwhelmed? This is a huge life change, Lei.”
I swallow. “I am deliriously happy inside. Outside, I’m still reeling. But I got a job, and I found a place. My first time living on my own. Baby steps. And I found you again.”
* * *
Brayden’s parents greet me warmly at the reception hall, and Luke says hello with a wink.
“Heard you and my brother came here together,” he says.
I nod. “We did, yes.”
He grins. “That’s good news.”
“I think so,” I say with a smile.
If Brayden is breathtakingly gorgeous, Luke is more of a smoldering burn. He strikes me as the kind of guy who dates a lot but doesn’t share much of his heart with anyone.
“And how’s your friend?” he asks me suddenly. “Ms. Sophia Loren?”
I cock my head and look closely at his blank expression. He’s clearly an expert at giving nothing away, but even he can’t hide the little flush in both cheeks as he waits for my reply.
“Sophia is great,” I say.
He gives me a salute and turns away for the other end of the bar. “Glad to hear it. See you, Leleila.”
I order a drink at the bar. I’m still waiting when two muscular arms appear on my left and a set of equally-large arms on my right.
“So you’re Leleila.”
